Students who have studied abroad often say that it is one of the biggest reasons they landed a job after graduation. Imagine if you took it one step further, and got actual work experience while you were abroad. Global internships are a great way to learn more about your field – and can also make you look a lot more valuable to a future boss.
1. Develop an international network. If you’re passionate about traveling, interning abroad is a great way to set yourself up for an international career. You’ll meet people from around the world who are working in your field, and showing off your skills while interning with them will open the door for future international collaboration. At Jiangxi University of Finance and Economics (JUFE), you will have the opportunity to customize your own internship experience and network with professionals who have strong backgrounds in International Business.
2. Sharpen up your soft skills. Employers are looking for applicants who can prove they have strong communication skills. With an international internship, you’re showing that you have the ability to adapt to cultural norms and connect with others who may not have the same views as you.
3. Improve your language skills. Whether you are fluent enough to complete an internship in the language of your host country or would like to complete it in your native language, you will be surrounded by others who speak another language and that will give you practice to develop your language skills. In a growing international economy, your future employer will see your language skills as a huge asset.
4. Gain a global perspective. By interning in a foreign country, you’ll have an edge up on other applications because you’ve proven you know what it’s like to work with international companies and organizations. At University of Technology, Sydney you have the chance to add on a summer internship to your spring semester abroad and intern with one of the 3,000 available Australian companies.
5. Get insight into your future career field. Interning is the perfect way to get a feel for what it’s like to work in your desired field. This might mean that you test it out and love it – it could also mean you test it out and don’t love it. Either way, it’s extremely helpful to know this BEFORE you land the real job.
6. Receive school credit. While there are clearly many professional benefits of interning abroad, there are also academic benefits. Students often are able to receive academic credit for their internships. At Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, you have the opportunity to take two or three classes in your field, and complement that with a part time internship (available in English or Italian) for credit.
Want to hear more about global internships? Watch our ISEP Live, featuring International Business and Internships.
ISEP Live is a weekly chat series featuring ISEP alumni and program experts. ISEP Live highlights featured programs in the ISEP network and covers program location, student experience, academics, fees and deadlines.
Like this Story? Also like us on Facebook.